US increases visa bond requirement for Kyrgyzstanis to $20,000

The United States has implemented a permanent visa bond program for citizens of 50 countries, including Kyrgyzstan, significantly increasing the financial requirement for certain visa applicants. Effective August 3, 2026, individuals seeking tourist and business visas (B-1 and B-2) will be subject to a refundable bond of up to $20,000, a notable increase from the previous maximum of $15,000.

The specific bond amount will be determined by U.S. consular officers during visa interviews, taking into account individual circumstances. While the base amount is expected to be set at $15,000, officers have the discretion to require $10,000, $15,000, or the full $20,000. The bond is payable only if instructed by the consular officer and does not guarantee visa issuance. It will be refunded if the visa holder departs the U.S. on time and adheres to all conditions of stay, or if the visa is unused or entry is denied. However, violations of visa conditions can result in the forfeiture of the bond.

Participants in the program must enter and exit the U.S. via commercial airports, with land and sea ports of entry, charter flights, or private aircraft being prohibited for fulfilling bond requirements. Kyrgyzstan was previously part of a pilot program where bonds ranged from $5,000 to $15,000. The pilot program, launched a year prior, also included countries like Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, and Mongolia.

In addition to the visa bond changes, the U.S. Department of State has introduced new restrictions impacting international students and participants in cultural exchange programs. The validity of student visas has been shortened to four years, and journalist visas to 240 days. Graduate students face tighter regulations regarding changing their "educational purposes" or transferring institutions without permission. Furthermore, the period for students to depart the U.S. after graduation has been halved from 60 to 30 days. China's Foreign Ministry has already condemned these new policies as "discriminatory."